Chapter 126 - 125

"He is an idiot."

Preethi did not know what was it exactly. But something about the way he said that sentence… with a sense of mockery and disdain towards Sridhar… it just warmed her heart. And he said it so arrogantly as if Sridhar was so beneath him. As if it would stain his name to even be compared to him… it made her laugh. And of course, she also noticed that small tinch of jealousy in there. But one thing that wasn't there was pity… there was no pity or sympathy in his voice. He did not render it as if he was faulting him as part of trying to comfort her… but his rendering was that of a person saying a hard fact.

That moment she understood what Charan told her about the gut. Her gut told her she was doing something extremely right by being with him.

"Did I say something funny??" Adam's confused voice invaded her train of thought. That is when she realized she had completely buried her face into his embrace giggling.

Preethi pulled away awkwardly and shook her head.

Her cheeks blushed but then she started talking again thinking of something, "You know I always felt that this whole marriage thing was an impulsive mistake of a naïve little infatuated girl. But then it was Akil who had paid the price of that mistake. I do not regret it. But still… That is why I am so wary of everything and everyone. I am not just wary… I am actually terrified even. That is why I am not going to be very good at this… relationsh.i.p.s I mean. And I am not going to be very trusting either. I would probably end up blowing up like a bomb at the smallest of things… Are you sure you are up for this??" She asked looking up at him.

Adam did not reply straight away. He instead gave her a smirk and started talking about himself instead, "I am the stubbornest person you will ever see. I had my doubts when I started things with you. I was hesitant and lost even. But now I know… I know that I want you in my life. I know that I want Akil in my life. And once you guys walk into mine… I am never ever letting you guys walk out of it. You can break all hell and explode all you want… but I am not an idiot like your ex. You will have no choice whatsoever. Are you sure you are up for something like that???" He threw the same question back at her but there was an innate sincerity in his voice. His voice did not waver even the slightest bit. It was an almost polar opposite to the way he stammered around back at the hospital when he first asked her out.

Preethi stared at him dazed. The intensity in his voice told her that he was not fooling around here. And that he meant every single word of it. And that he will see through to it. Normally she should be scared… she should have felt suffocated even. But instead, a sweetness spread through her heart. Even she did not know why. It was as if he had suppressed all of her insecurities with a brute force.

But in the end, neither of them answered. Maybe there was no need to. Preethi just leaned her head on his shoulders all over again without a word. Adam sat there leisurely leaning back on his hands. He pecked the top of her head with a smiling face.

After a while, he thought of something and said in the softest voice, "It's not a mistake you know. Even if it was, it was probably one of your luckiest mistakes… because you got Akil out of it."

Preethi did not reply and her lips spread. She scooted over and wrapped her arms around him and snuggled in. Adam's arms came around and rested over her head very naturally.

"So does that mean I have successfully eased all the worry you had about me??" Adam asked against her ears.

"You have a long way to go for that!!" Preethi said rolling her eyes. After all single mothers are not exactly the most trusting people out there. But then she was ready to take a step out now which was really itself a big-feet for her.

…

Later that night as they were driving back, Preethi kept talking about everything and anything she could possibly think of until her mouth went dry. But of course, Adam did not reciprocate the gesture. He kept his mouth sealed and ears open.

But halfway through the ride, he noticed that her voice was getting low and low and little incoherent and when he looked sideways he saw that she was actually sleeptalking. Adam chuckled lightly but then he leaned over and pushed her seat back more comfortably and tucked her in with his jacket before driving away once again.

Even he did not clearly understand what was happening to himself. He barely knew Preethi but then the way he talked to her a little while ago… it baffled him. But he also knew he meant every single word of it. He was just not really sure where that sudden sprout of confidence came from.

And he liked this feeling. His heart jumped out of his ribs every now and then. It was new but it made him happy. And he wanted to hold on to it. And unlike Preethi herself, he did not have much trauma with relationsh.i.p.s so it was considerably easier for him to accept it for himself and as well as others.

And also he was in no rush… and also he was a patient guy. So he would wait as long as it took Preethi to come to him.

Finally, the car came to a stop outside her house. And just like the last time, Adam waited for Preethi to wake up but then he himself somehow dozed off.